Youth :: Matisyahu

Matisyahu has recently become one of my new favorite reggae artists to listen to. This song was on the MBLGTACC mix cd that we made for our extraordinarily long road trip from here to central Illinois and I got hooked instantly. Matisyahu is a Hasidic jew from the east coast who writes some really fantastic reggae songs, blending dancehall reggae with the traditional style of Jewish cantors. One cool random fact is that he sometimes performs with Kenny Muhammad, a Muslim beatboxer.
Matisyahu has only recorded a handful of albums, but everything I've listened to is fantastic.
This particular song is about the confusion and frustration that a lot of youth feel, but not in a whiny "woe is me" way. More in an empowering, youth are the future, make good decisions to shift the world in a positive way. Enjoy!



Some of them come now
Some of them running
Some of them looking for fun
Some of them looking for away out of confusion
Some of them don't know where to be
Some of them don't know where to go
Some of them trust their instincts
That somethings missing from the show
Some don't fit society
Their insides are crying low
Some of them teachers squashed the flame
'fore it had a chance to grow
Some of them embers still glow
Them charcoal hushed and low
Some of them come with hunger supressed
Not fed them feel the death blow, yo
CHORUS:
Young man control in your hand
Slam your fist on the table
And make your demand
Take a stand
Fan a fire for the flame of the youth
Got the freedom to choose
You better make the right move
Young man, the power's in your hand
Slam your fist on the table and make your demand
You better make the right move
"youth is the engine of the world"
Storm the halls of vanity
Focus your energy
Into a laser beam
Streaming shattered light
Unites to pierce between the seams
And it seems
The world open peering
The children see
Rapid fire for your mind
Half a truth is just a lie
They rub me the wrong way
They say their way or fall behind
Seventeen disconnect left out
The concept as to why
There's a spiritual emptiness
So the youth them get vexed
Skip class and get wrecked
Feel with beer and cigarettes
To fill the hole in their chest!